“Encourage the First,
“Endure the Second,
“Do as you like with the Last.”
One Friend informed me that he cured an excellent Coachman of his neglect of being punctual (which was the only fault he had)—by hiring a Hackney Coach, whenever his own Carriage was not at the Door to a minute, and deducting the charge thereof from his Wages. Another makes it part of the Agreement, in hiring a Coachman, that he shall forfeit a Shilling for every Minute he comes after the time he is ordered.
Remember Tom Thrifty’s account of that excellent Disciplinarian, old Admiral Everready.
“The first time I received Orders to attend his Honour on a Cruise,—‘Tom Thrifty,’ (said the gallant Veteran,) ‘be sure, have Every Thing ready for Action to-Morrow Morning before Eight o’Clock. Getting out well is half the Battle.’ ‘I will take care, your Honour, not to be later than Eight.’
“‘Not later, Sir!—Pipe all hands a Quarter Before, if you please, Sir!!—a Quarter Before, Sir!!!—to that Quarter of an Hour I owe all my success in Life!!!—Do you think that Old Everready would have won every Battle he has fought, if he had not always had a Broadside ready to pour into the Enemy, Before it was expected that any Engagement could possibly take place!—Oh! that precious Quarter of an Hour!—it has been, as a body may say, the Guardian Spirit which has gained me all my Laurels. Now, my Boy, let me heave a bit of advice to You; if you wish to keep clear of the shoals of Disappointment, take Preparation for your Purser, and Punctuality for your Pilot—they will put you into the track of Preferment; and if you mind that your vessel is well ballasted with Integrity, you may carry almost what Sail you will with safety, and soon hope to cast anchor for Life in the Bay of Independence.’”
When you order your Coachman to call for you, tell him to send you notice of his arrival as soon as he comes, and that within Two minutes after you hear of it, you will either come or send to him—if you do not, to conclude that you have not been told, and desire him peremptorily to order that you may be informed of it, for some people are Rude enough to desire their Servants not to tell their Guests that their Carriage is come, until just such time as they wish them gone.
The surest plan of protecting yourself from the tricks of such folks, and of knowing when your Carriage is come, is to give your Coachman a Letter directed to you, on which is written “An Immediate Answer is desired.” Direct him to deliver this wherever you are, with a special request that it may be given to you directly, as it requires an Immediate Answer: this may also serve the purpose of furnishing you with an excellent excuse to get away as early as you please.
Do not order your Carriage till you actually want it; and enter it the moment it comes to the Door, especially in Cold and Wet Weather.